IHC extends stay order in £190m case

Trial court likely to indict Imran, Bushra in gifts case now on Oct 2

ISLAMABAD:

The capital's high court has extended its order barring an accountability court from issuing its final verdict in the £190m case until October 2. However, the trial, in which former PM Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi are key accused, will continue.

A division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, resumed hearing on Thursday the petitions filed by Imran and Bushra against the rejection of their acquittal pleas in the case.

During the hearing, NAB Prosecutor Rafia Maqsood requested an adjournment of the case, complaining that the defendants were not cooperating in the trial.

Addressing the lawyer of the PTI founder, Justice Farooq remarked that the defense should avoid giving the impression of delaying the trial.

"We will not intervene in the trial process. If the defendants do not cooperate, the relevant court will handle it," he stated. Justice Farooq also made it clear that the trial would continue.

"We have clearly stated in simple English that a final verdict will not be issued," he added. The court extended the order to halt the final decision until October 2 and adjourned the hearing.

Imran and Bushra are also expected to be indicted in the Toshakhana-II case on October 2.

Islamabad Central Judge Shahrukh Arjumand resumed hearing the case in a courtroom inside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, where both Imran and Bushra are currently detained.

During the hearing, Imran and Bushra's lawyer, Salman Safdar, completed his arguments on the couple's post-arrest bail applications. However, the prosecution could not complete its arguments and requested more time from the court.

The defense opposed the prosecution's request, with Salman Safdar arguing that the court should decide on the bail applications that day.

"If nothing is to happen, then dismiss our bail applications. Even today's hearing date was set according to the prosecution's wishes. Will everything now proceed according to their convenience?"

Imran and Bushra also approached the rostrum, requesting the court to make a decision on the bail applications. (WITH INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN RAWALPINDI)